The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized cash worth Rs 3.57 crore in the raids on several tour and travel companies of Delhi-NCR and its Chartered Accountant (CA). The raids on the companies have been carried out for alleged irregularities in e-visa processing of foreigners visiting India.

The Central Investigation Agency said on Saturday that it raided eight locations in Delhi and Ghaziabad on July 9 under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The ED said in a statement that the raids were taken against the accommodation and offices of directors of several tour and travel companies and their chartered accountants. During this period, ED has seized Rs 3.57 crore cash and some objectionable documents and digital records.The Enforcement Directorate said it was informed that these units were receiving unauthorized funds from abroad through payment gateways in the name of providing e-visa services to foreigners. The agency said that preliminary investigation has revealed that two such units have received Rs 200 crore from abroad for processing Indian e-visas of foreigners. However, these units have not been authorized for this work by the government.

ED said that apart from these units these units are also involved in suspicious transactions of high value. ‘Apart from this, the fact has also come out that some chartered accountants have played an important role in managing the functioning of these units. They also have a role in suspicious transactions. A senior ED official said that the matter is under investigation. Directors and executives of these companies will be questioned.